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Easy Pizza Casserole Dinner Recipe

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4.2 from 53 reviews

This easy pizza casserole dinner combines hearty layers of pasta, savory ground beef and Italian sausage, tangy homemade pizza sauce, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and optional toppings for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for weeknights.

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Meat and Sauce

  • 1/2 lb Ground Beef
  • 1/2 lb Mild Italian Sausage
  • 2 Cups Homemade Pizza Sauce

Pasta and Cheese

  • 4 Cups Pasta (of choice)
  • 3 ½ Cups Mozzarella, grated, or to taste
  • 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

Toppings and Seasonings

  • 6 oz Pepperoni
  • Sliced Black Olives, optional
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Parsley Seasoning (e.g., Johnny’s Garlic Spread)
  • 1-2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • Fresh Parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350℉ to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until cooked through. Drain any excess juices, but keep the meat in the skillet.
  3. Add Sauce: Pour the homemade pizza sauce into the skillet with the cooked meat and stir well to combine all flavors.
  4. Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, meaning it should still have a slight chew. Drain thoroughly.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the drained pasta into the skillet with the meat sauce, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
  6. Layer Casserole: Spread half of the pasta and sauce mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese over the pasta. Arrange half the pepperoni slices on top.
  7. Repeat Layers: Add the remaining pasta mixture, then top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese and remaining pepperoni slices.
  8. Add Toppings and Seasonings: Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese and optional black olives evenly over the top. Then, evenly distribute the garlic parsley seasoning and Italian seasoning across the casserole surface.
  9. Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes at 350℉ to allow flavors to meld and cheese to melt.
  10. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness, then serve warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute any pasta shape you prefer or have on hand, such as penne or rotini.
  • For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
  • Feel free to add vegetables like diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the sauce for extra nutrition.
  • If you prefer a leaner version, substitute turkey sausage or omit the sausage entirely.
  • Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to make slicing easier.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/easy-pizza-casserole-dinner-recipe/